Random Number Generator: Difference between revisions

A Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) is a simple way to generate a very long sequence of random numbers, given a non-zero seed. The idea is as follows: an ''n''-bit LFSR has ''n'' 'registers', each containing one bit (either 0 or 1). Initially, all the registers are filled with the bits from an ''n'''-bit seed. For each next value to be generated, take some bits from certain registers and XOR them together. Feed the resulting binary value into the left-most register, shifting all bits one position to the right. The bit that is shifted out of the LFSR on the right-most side is the generated random bit.